4 Things to know when going on a house hunting tour

shoes

Wear shoes that are easy on – easy off

Most homes will ask you to remove your shoes when you visit. Wear shoes that are easy to take off and on.

Expect that homes may not have the same appeal in person as they did online

Today’s photo and video tours do a much better job of realistically showcasing a home than was possible in the past. However, wide angle lenses can be deceptive and make rooms appear bigger than they actually are… and you don’t really get a feel for the overall flow of a house until you visit in person. Many buyers find that their top choice is no longer their dream home when they see it in person. And sometimes they find they like a home in person they didn’t really care much about online.

patchwork house1

Don’t expect to find your perfect home

I have had several recent buyers say they wished they could take their favorite pieces from different houses and locations and put them together to custom design their perfect home. It seems most buyers go through that, and it reminded me of a post I wrote 13 years ago about a playful image I conjured up of a patchwork, ‘Frankenstein’ house. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible.

It’s a matter of defining priorities… deciding which features are most important to you and compromising the rest. 

If the location and setting are right, the house can be changed to better meet your wants and needs

Of all the many decisions that go into buying a home, location is often the most important. Why? Because it is the one thing you can’t change. You can change the appearance, amenities, even size of a house… but it is where it is and there isn’t anything you can do about that but find a different location if it doesn’t fit your sense of place.

If a house is in the location you want, don’t dismiss it just because you don’t like the look of it online. Check it out… you might be surprised. If it has good ‘bones’ it could be a ‘diamond in the rough’ that could become your well loved home.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com

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I love what I do! Highly insightful, analytical and creative, there is nothing I love more than helping you find the right solution for your real estate transition. My mission is to serve my clients with honesty and integrity, exceeding their expectations in service and support… and to help others by donating a portion of every transaction to Habitat for Humanity.

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The HomesMSP Team is committed to meeting you where you are and listening… really listening to understand you so we can use our extensive knowledge of the market and local neighborhoods to give you personalized service.